Ruth Elizabeth Hayes Appleby

Ruth grew up on the Hayes family farm in North Bend, Ohio. She graduated with a B.S. Ed from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and pursued a M.S. Ed at University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. She had a rewarding career in education while teaching at: J.S. Connor Elementary in Cleves, Ohio, East Marion, N.H. Jones and Highlands Elementary in Ocala, Florida.

Music and sports were an integral part of her life and she touched many lives through these gifts. As a young girl, she studied the piano and played the saxophone in Taylor High School marching band. She participated in basketball, tennis and track. Later, she was a Girl Scout leader, a ballroom and square dancer and participated in Senior Olympics, becoming the FL State Race Walking Champion of her age group at 75 and placing 10th in the National Senior Olympics.

She was a proud and patriotic American and Marion County, FL resident. She cherished the natural beauty of Florida, enjoyed the local theatres and arts, was an avid health advocate and loved to travel.

She was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Albert N. Appleby; and her two brothers, Robert T. Hayes and Joseph H. Hayes.

She is survived by her three daughters, Judy Appleby (Richard Berg), Janet Temkin, and Candace Bodner (Gary); her grandchildren, Daniel DoDai, Danielle Yarros, Matthew Berg, Kris Temkin, Amber Santiago, Mikal Temkin, Cassandra Jacobs; and 9 great grandchildren.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Girl Scouts of America Gateway Council, 810 NW 8th St., Gainesville, FL 32601, (866)868-6307, www.girlscoutsgateway.org, Ocala Civic Theatre, 4337 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470, (352)236-2274, www.ocalacivictheatre.com, Florida Senior Games, Florida Sports Charitable Foundation, 2930 Kerry Forest Blvd. Suite 101, Tallahassee, FL 32309, (866)354-2637 or (850)488-8347, www.flasports.com; [email protected];

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.